Just like every New Year, I've given up complaining for good, but let me just say that air travel is not my favorite, nor am I very good at it.
I'm wide awake on the red-eye, with Bridget admonishing me to “not be THAT person” who turns on the light to read, even though it seems to me that the flight crew, after swearing up and down that the announcements after take-off will be minimal and exhorting people not to slam the lavatory door, are busily passing out maximally crinkly snacks and making the most of whatever communication is needed to hand someone a bottle of water.
I must have fallen asleep for a few minutes or so, because after I played Angry Birds on my iPhone for about 20 minutes (yes, I was that desperately bored and not a bit susceptible to shut-eye, and I don't think you can win at that game after the first level, by the way), I woke up to the phone quite hot in my hand and warning me that my battery was low. So, key learning, when the screen is on the apps and in your slumber you touch Need for Speed (put on there by a concerned older brother who sees the need for driving practice in a younger sibling) and the car is just zooming along, it eats up the juice. Hm.
But I'm almost recovered after the jet lag getting there and the jet lag getting back, and of course, never one to complain.
So, to make up for not checking in last week as I was off visiting my new grandson (how funny that sounds! I can't be a grandma! Seriously, my inner self is getting used to being 19! I don't even really remember having kids! Wait, where are they?), here you have a big post of lots of babbling about the most perfect baby ever.
What is there to say, though? Rosie and Philip are great parents. That baby is a barracuda. I think that should be his nickname (and he needs one, as there are many Philips, suddenly). He is single-minded, and I had to spend most of my time reminding them about how hard it is to have a baby who is indifferent to nursing. Not his complaint!
We had a good time imagining how life would be if you never got over sort of going “Nom nom nom” as you ate, fiercely stepping up the pace if you thought someone was removing your plate, even if just to give you a new one.
Not to mention how odd it would be if when we felt nature's call we began squirming and crying and bellowing and then got a far-off contemplative look on our faces and then cried again. I'm glad we get over all that and never even mention such things in polite company.
This is all at the Mission San Luis Rey, which Bridget and I loved. |
Must be a gargoyle! |
Another one! |
Life in Southern California is sweet, that's for sure. I think I'm not the first person to tell you that every day is sunny and beautiful. It's exhausting.
The stewardess was openly mocking us as we embarked, wondering why there was a plane-full of people voluntarily going into 22° and 2′ of snow, but I was relieved.
Other than the wrenching tearing feeling in my heart, that is, having to leave the little darling behind.
Deirdre says
Oh my gosh it's so great to see photos of everyone with the baby! I want to meet him and hold him SO MUCH!!! I can't wait to get my nephew in my arms!!
Beautiful pictures – it looks just gorgeous out there. Sigh! Sunshine.
Dottie says
Leila
He's just beautiful! Just welcomed our 5th grandchild in September and totally “get” not feeling old enough to be a grandma or even have kids old enough to make that a fact. And having to leave the baby and his parents so far away and yet happy to be home again. Such conflict!
Congratulations and enjoy as much as you can. There's nothing like it!
Dottie
Mom in MO says
Wonderful! How exciting it must be to be a grandma–even if you're not sure you feel like one. Congratulations again!
And I didn't notice any babbling.
nt12many says
What a beautiful, healthy little baby! (and an astonishingly young looking grandmother:) and such a happy looking little new family.
Thanks for sharing. The California pictures made me crave sunshine as the rain pours down in Northwest Washington state.
Blessings,
Jill Farris
Bobbi says
Yeah…oh how I love baby babbling! I have to say that I thought you'd lost your minds…until I actually saw the gargoyle in the second photo…hahaha! Sometimes…when my three year old is VERY hungry he still says nom, nom, nom…so they don't outgrow it as fast as you might think! Thank you again for the pictures…may you catch up on sleep and your “normal” self very soon!
CarlynB says
Precious baby!
priests wife says
YAY! I was hoping your silence meant you were visiting the baby!
…just you wait. My mom is a 19-year-old who happens to have 20 grandkids (so far)
congratulations again
Deb says
Congratulations! He's simply beautiful!
Sara says
Your comments about a baby that doesn't stop nursing made me laugh…my son is exactly that way and he is almost 14mos now….just imagine what he was like as a newborn. I guess since he was almost 11 lbs when he was born, had him hungry from the start. He even eats real food now (I mean we are talking his own 4 piece nuggets at McDs), and still wants to nurse all the time. I guess he will 'eat me out of house and home', not to mention the excess baby weight!
freckled hen says
Could the sky be any more blue? Could that baby be any cuter? I'm happy you got to hold him and breath in his baby smell. He is lucky you are so young and brave to hop on a middle of the night flight!
Hope you have a great weekend…
Sandy says
Adorable! Thank you for sharing him with us.
Sara says
I'm so glad you finally got out there! What a glorious trip, flight notwithstanding. Our Philip is “Pippo” because that's what St. Philip Neri was called as a child. “Little Phil”. He's 12 and hasn't outgrown it yet! Great saint; great nickname!
Philip Turner says
The only problem with Pippo as a nickname, is that it was my nickname and my family often still calls me that. My parents also got it from St. Philip Neri, whose feast day I was born on. So it is still a little confusing. That being said it is what I have been calling him.
Breanna says
What a gorgeous boy!
Of course, I'm partial to Phils because we've got two, as well–Daddy and “Little Phil” (or, as his sister calls him, “Buddy”).
I'm with the others–I love baby babbling. I'm just jealous of Rosie that she's got her baby in arms while mine is still kicking around, deciding whether or not to be born on his due date. 🙂 You provied much-needed distraction (and a bit of a reminder about how they look when they're tiny…).
He's beautiful. 🙂
briana says
Sweet, sweet baby! You are making me want another one and making me miss the beach and Camp Pendleton! Thanks for sharing so many lovely pictures with us.
Ann says
He is a beauty and his parents' joy is evident, as is yours. Your youngest daughter has grown up quickly and is a very pretty girl. Praying for my daughter to meet the right man and provide grandchildren.No pressure then Helene!
Elaine says
just the title of this post made me give a goofy smile in anticipation. Lovely photos of the new little family!
convertingheart says
What could be better than baby babble?! I was hoping that's where you were when you mysteriously disappeared for a few days. What a precious time! He truly is a beautiful boy, with a beautiful Mama!
Sue says
What could be better than baby babble?! I was hoping that's where you were when you mysteriously disappeared for a few days. What a precious time! He truly is a beautiful boy, with a beautiful Mama!
Aleta says
He is precious,yes, but where's a picture of the gramma and baby ??? you are not done yet.
margo says
aw, sweetness. Breath of fresh air and sunshine to the frigid north. I'm so glad you are a grandma now too! I have benefited so much from your parenting wisdom and people like you richly deserve lovely grandbabies. Everyone looks so happy in your photos. Just heartwarming.
Nancy says
So glad you were able to visit and cuddle up with your sweet grandson! There is nothing else in this world like the smell of a nursing baby's head!
Polly says
He is adorable! I love the photo of Rosie nursing him and looking up–so lovely! All the photos are great. We just welcomed our own little bundle on Sunday evening, so it's all baby babble here too!
Gina Plain says
I have been reading your blog for a few months now (and have suggested your blog a few times on my FB…especially the making the sabbath special post) but I'm not sure if I've commented before. I just want you to know that I love your blog. I just told my husband that I feel like I know you and would love to visit in your home. I love the way you ramble from one thing to the other and explain details. I believe I am a kindred spirit in that regard. I agree with so much of what you say and am thankful that you seem to want to glorify the Lord in all you say and do. I learn much from reading your musings, and I love your pictures too.
Congratulations on being a grandma…what a blessing. I had no idea how amazing it is until I became one 2 1/2 years ago and now I have 3 grandsons. What a joy they are!
Pippajo says
*Sigh*…oh, and *sigh* again…
He looks so cuddly and soft and I can just imagine how good and sweet he smells (except for just after he's been “contemplative”)!
I, too, assumed your silence meant you were getting acquainted. So glad you had a great time and were gracious enough to share your photos with us!
emily b says
your grandson is adorable; blessings! and when my first son nursed it never ceased to make me chuckle that as i attempted to switch him from side to side he always acted as if he was just *sure* the next half of the meal was never going to come–even though (statistically) it *had* been provided (quite promptly, i might add) on every single other occasion. still makes me smile when i remember that. your nom nom nom thing made brought back that memory.
Mrs. Pickles says
Congratulations Rosie and Philip! Thanks, Auntie Leila for all the great pictures! What a precious bundle he is. Lol at the baby body humor — my aunt always said that once you become a parent your sense of humor goes into the gutter. 🙂
My own grandmother was still in her youthful 40's when I was born — she refused to be a “Grandma”. 🙂 She chose “Nana” and it fits her so well! Have you given thought to what you will be called by your darling grandchildren?
And oh, that California sunshine… And the citrus trees! Growing up in Los Angeles we had a tangerine tree in the backyard. What richness!
Hollace says
Beautiful pictures and beautiful baby and daughters, too. Congrats again. My grandbaby comes home to my house tomorrow from the hospital, with his Mommy. Daddy overseas. I am so looking forward to nuzzling him!